AFL legend Adam Schneider announced as Lavington coach

Former Sydney Swans premiership player Adam Schneider has revealed his plans as Lavington’s coach ahead of the Ovens and Murray league 2022 season.

Former AFL player and co-coach Adam Schneider has been signed as Lavington’s coach for the 2022 season. Picture: AAP, Julian Smith

After living the dream himself, former Sydney Swans premiership player Adam Schneider plans to help youngsters realise their own AFL careers when he takes over as coach at the Lavington Panthers.

Schneider, who played 228 AFL games and was Greater Western Sydney’s assistant coach this year, will move to Albury after Christmas.

Aside from priming the Panthers for a 2022 Ovens and Murray premiership, he said he wanted to help up-and-coming stars realise their potential.

“I‘ve been in the AFL for over 20 years now, and it’s been an important part of my life that I’ve really enjoyed,” Schneider said.

“I get a thrill out of watching kids grow and I want them to reach their dreams playing AFL.

“Especially in the Ovens and Murray... Lavi have some really good young guys coming through so I’m looking forward to spending some time with them and watching them grow.”

Schneider said he was initially approached by long time family friend and former Osborne Football Club coach Graham Hart to give advice on selecting a new coach.

But it wasn’t until a short time later that Schneider, who is from Osborne where he played junior football, suggested himself.

Adam Schneider played 228 AFL games and also co-coached GWS. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“Graham rang me up and asked if I knew anyone that would be interested in coaching and I texted him a few weeks after to say ‘how’d you go?’” he said.

“He said ‘We haven’t had any luck’, and I just said ‘What’s it look like? I might be interested’.

“I sat down with the family, and just with Covid and everything in the last couple of years, and Sydney’s rat race and how expensive it is out here, we just explored the option and it looked really good. It’s something I’m looking forward to.”

Lavington Panthers football manager Grahan Hart first met Schneider at Osborne Football Club, where he coached Schneiders’ two brothers – Damien and Leigh.

Hart said his 2022 Panthers side would be a team to watch once under the wings of Schneider.

“Our list will be relatively similar to what it already is, with a few additions, but what we’re really excited about is the development that we’ll get to see out of our younger crop under the guidance of someone of Adam’s calibre,” Hart said.

“All the people we’ve spoken to about Adam’s coaching, they just cannot speak more highly about the way he connects with his players and that’s just huge in country footy.”

Schneider has signed on with the Panthers for the next three seasons and said he was looking forward to returning to the bush.

“I think (moving to Albury) will make me better as a person and as a coach,” he said.